Pitless well adapter assembly



Sept. 6, 1966 K. 1.. PUGH, JR 3,270,818

PIILESS WELL ADAPTER ASSEMBLY Filed Feb. 19, 1964 I 1 I IL-T- 3INVENTOR:

films I. P0511, J12.

raw/gag ATT YS.

United States Patent 3,270,818 PITLESS WELL ADAPTER ASSEMBLY Kells L.Pugh, In, 1306 West t., Genoa, Ohio Filed Feb. 19, 1964, Ser. No. 345345Claims. (Cl. 166--85) This invention relates to an apparatus for use inwell supply systems, and, more particularly, to an improved well adapterassembly for connecting a pump discharge conduit to a liquid supply lineand for aligning such an assembly in a predetermined position within awell casing.

The increased use of submersible motors in well supply water systems andthe elimination of pit type well installations has created a need for animproved pitless well adapter assembly.

In :a well system the discharge line from a deep well pump must beconnected to the liquid supply line which leads to the point of use, forexample, in a Water system to a home or business establishment.

In the northern part of our country the water supply line to the home orbusiness is buried approximately four feet below the final groundelevation to protect the water line from freezing. If the pump dischargeline is extended to the top of the casing and then back down along theoutside of the casing, a freezing problem is inherently created.Therefore, the common practice has been to make the connection from thepump discharge line to the water supply line within the casing or to cuted the casing below the ground elevation and make the connection at thatpoint.

Because the pump and motor sometimes have to be removed to performmaintenance upon the pump or motor, it is not desirable to use a fixedor permanent fitting to connect the pump discharge line to the watersupply line. Because the connection in the casing is located severalfeet below the elevation of the ground and because a well casing isoften of a relatively small diameter, it is extremely diflicult to Workwithin the casing to either couple or uncouple the connection. When aconnection is made within a casing, the danger is always present thatthe installer or maintenance man will drop the pump, motor, andconnecting piping down into the well.

When a pitless adapter assembly is used to make the above connection, itis very important that a tight connection is made to prevent groundwater or other contaminants from infiltrating, for example, a watersupply, and thereby creating a health hazard.

The pitless well adapter assemblies which have been designed :and usedin the past were often undesirable because the adjusting mechanism usedto insure a tight connection or seal was located below the top of theeasing. An installer or a maintenance man had to reach downwardly intothe casing with a wrench or some other tool to adjust the mechanism.This is very difiicult to do, particularly in small diameter casings,and also produces the setting for an accidental dropping of the tooldown in the casing and consequent damaging of the pump or motor. If atool becomes wedged in the casing it can prevent removal of the pump. Toremove such :a wedged tool is both a difiicult and expensive operation.

In the prior art adapter assemblies, it was diflicult to realign theadapter assembly with a horizontal discharge opening in the casing oncethe pump, motor, and connecting piping had been removed from the wellcasing. Because the pump, conduit and appurtenant piping often weighseveral hundred pounds, easy realignment of the adapter assembly when itis reinserted into the casing is an important factor. The well adapterassembly must be properly realigned in the casing to insure that thedischarge side of the well adapter assembly registers with thehorizontal discharge opening in the casing. If proper realignment doesnot occur, at best .a restriction in the fiow of water results, and, ifthe misalignment is severe, a proper seal will not result, permittingcontaminants to find their way into the water supply.

It is the primary object of the invention to provide a well adapterassembly which insures a tight and positive connection between a pumpdischarge line within the well casing and a liquid supply line outsideof the well casing after the adapter assembly is in its operableposition within the well casing.

It is another object of the instant invention to provide an improvedpitless well adapter assembly which includes means for verticallyaligning the adapter assembly with a pre-existing horizontal dischargeopening in a well casmg.

It is another object of the invention to provide a well adapter assemblywhich at all times supports the well system apparatus, therebyprecluding accidental dropping of the pump, motor, and appurtenantpiping down the well.

It is another object of the invention to provide a well adapter havingnovel alignment means which insures positive circumferential alignmentof the well adapter assembly within the well casing when the adapterassembly has been removed and is replaced.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a well adapterassembly which can be adjusted without removing the cap member.

It is still another object of the invention to provide a well adapterassembly which includes adjusting means whereby the adapter assembly isadaptable to accommodate either an undersized or an oversized wellcasing.

Other objects of this invention will become apparent from the followingspecification and drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary, vertical sectional view showing one embodimentof a pitless well adapter assembly, according to the instant invention,positioned within a well casing;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary, exploded, perspective view of a well casing andnovelalignment means constructed according to the instant invention; and

FIG. 3 is a horizontal cross sectional view taken along the line 33 ofFIG. 1.

Briefly, the invention relates to a pitless well adapter assembly foruse in a well system which includes a vertical well casing having aninterior surface, an exterior surface, and a horizontal dischargeopening. The adapter assembly includes a cap mountable on the upper endof the casing. Alignment means are provided to facilitate the properplacing of the cap in a predetermined circumferential position on thecasing. A support rod depends from the cap and a coupler body is securedto the support rod. A vertical draw rod assembly is supported by the capand has a lowermost end secured to a vertical expanding block. Ahorizontal expanding block is supported by guide means located on thecoupler body. The vertical expanding block engages the horizontalexpanding block and is effective upon vertical movement of the verticalexpanding block to move the horizontal expanding block laterally in theguide means for engaging relationship with the interior wall of thecasing. The coupler body also has a conduit engaging bore in its lowerportion and a discharge port positionable adjacent the horizontaldischarge opening in the casing, with the coupler body defining a fluidpassageway between the bore and the port. Adjusting means are providedin combination with the coupler body to compensate for undersized oroversized well casings.

Referring to FIG. 1, a well supply system is generally indicated at 10.The system 10 includes a vertical well casing 11 having an interiorsurface 12 and an exterior surface 13. The well casing 11 has ahorizontal discharge opening 14 in its periphery and the upper portion15 of the well casing 11 extends upwardly to an elevation higher thanthe surrounding ground elevation generally indicated at 16.

A submersible pump and motor (not shown) are located in the lower partof the well casing 11 and a liquid discharge conduit 17, having an upperthreaded end 18, is connected to the discharge fitting on the pump. Thedischarge conduit 17 serves a dual function in that it both supports thepump and motor and also serves as a conduit for the liquid being pumped.An outlet liquid supply conduit 19, having a threaded end connection 20,carries the liquid, for example, water, to its point of ultimate use.

A clamp, generally indicated at 21, is secured to the exterior surface13 of the casing 11 and comprises a saddle 22 and a U-bolt 23. Thesaddle 22 has a threaded bore 24 which engages the threaded end 20 ofthe conduit 19 and holds the conduit 19 in fluid communication with thehorizontal discharge opening 14 in the casing 11. A notch 25 is providedon the interior surface of the saddle 22 and receives an O-ring 26which, when in operable position, is compressed against the exteriorsurface 13 of the well casing 11. The O-ring 26 surrounds the horizontaldischarge opening 14 and provides a tight seal to prevent ground wateror other contaminantsfrom entering the water supply and also to preventthe well water from escaping into the ground.

A pitless well adapter assembly according to the invention is generallyindicated at 27. The assembly 27 includes a cap 28 which is supported bythe upper portion 15 of the casing 11. A circular gasket 29 is disposedbetween the cap 28 and the top surface of the casing 11 to provide asealed connection. The cap 28 has a boss 30, which defines a concentricthreaded bore 31, depending from its lower surface.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the cap 28 has a downwardly extending flangeon its circumference and has an integral junction box 32 extendingoutwardly from one portion of its periphery. The junction box 32includes sidewalls 33 and end walls 34 and 35. A removably mountedinspection plate 36 is secured by bolts 37 on the top surfaces of thesidewalls 33 and the end walls 34 and 35.

An L-shaped aligner bracket 38 having an outwardly projecting first leg39 and a ]-shaped leg 40 is mounted on the top surface of the wellcasing 11. The J-shaped portion of the leg 40 receives the casing 11 andis held in a predetermined circumferential position by a set screw 41.The horizontal leg 39 of the aligner bracket 38 defines a threadedcircular bore 42 which engages a complementary threaded portion of anelectrical conduit 43. Electrical wires, indicated by the dashed linesin FIG 1, extend through the electrical conduit 43; through the interiorof the junction box 32; and downwardly into the well casing 11. Theelectrical wires supply electrical power to the submersible motor (notshown).

The bottom surfaces of the sidewalls 33 and the end wall 35 define analigner recess 44. When the cap 28 is properly positioned on the casing11, the horizontal leg 39 of the aligner bracket 38 is seated in thealigner recess 44 and a flanged portion 45 of the sidewalls 33 and endwall 35 prevents horizontal rotation of the cap 28 when the horizontalleg 39 is properly seated.

The above described aligning means is a very important part of the welladapter assembly 27. When the casing 11 is initially inserted in theground, a mark is placed directly over and in vertical alignment withthe horizontal discharge opening 14 in the casing 11. The alignerbracket 38 is then placed on the top surface of the well casing 11directly over the mark. The set screw 41 is tightened and the horizontalleg 39 of the aligner bracket 38 extends outwardly in direct verticalalignment with the 4. horizontal discharge opening 14. The pump, motor,and appurtenant piping is inserted in the casing 11 and the cap 28 isthen rotated until the horizontal leg 39 is properly seated in thealigner recess 44. When the submersible motor (not shown) is removed formaintenance purposes, the aligner bracket 38 remains in itspredetermined circumferential position on the upper surface of the wellcasing 11 thereby insuring that upon reassembly the well adapterassembly will be replaced in correct circumferential alignment with thehorizontal discharge opening 14.

A circular threaded bore 46 is located in the upper portion of the cap28. When the well adapter assembly 27, the pump, motor, and appurtenantpiping are placed into or removed from the casing 11, an eyebolt (notshown) is inserted in the threaded bore 46 to facilitate lifting of theapparatus.

A vertical draw rod assembly is indicated at 47 and is supported by thecap 28. The draw rod assembly 47 includes an internally threaded drawbolt 48 which extends through the threaded bore 46. A sealing gasket 49is disposed between a flange 50 on the draw bolt 48 and the uppersurface of the cap 28. A draw rod 51 having threaded ends 52 and 53extends downwardly from the cap 28. The upper end 52 of the draw rod 51is threaded into the draw bolt 48 and the lowermost end 53 is secured toa vertical expanding block 54.v Preferably, the space above the upperend 52 of the draw rod 51 in the draw bolt 48 is filled with a lubricantto insure easy rotation of the draw bolt 48 relative to the draw rod 51at all times.

A support tube 55, having an upper threaded end 56 and a lower threadedend 57, depends from and is supported by the cap 28. The upper end 56 isinserted into the threaded bore 31 of the boss 30. A coupler body 58 issecured to the lower end 57 of the support tube 55. The support tube 55is of such length that it serves as means for vertically positioning thecoupler body 58 in vertical registering relationship with the horizontaldischarge opening 14 when the coupler body 58 is inserted in the casing11.

In the preferred embodiment shown in the drawings, the draw rod 51 ispositioned inside the support tube 55; however, the support tube 55 canbe a solid rod with the draw rod 51 positioned adjacent such a solidrod.

In the preferred embodiment, shown in FIG. 1, the coupler body 58defines a generally L-shaped channel 61 having a first leg 62 verticallyaligned with the draw rod assembly 47 and a second leg 63 extendinglaterally through the coupler body 58. The first leg 62 serves as aguide to direct the path of movement of the vertical expanding block 54.

A horizontal expanding block 64 is supported by and is laterally movablewithin the second leg 63 of the channel 61. The second leg 63 is a guidemeans for the hori zontal expanding block 64.

However, other types of guide means can be provided. For example, ahorizontal track (not shown) can be laterally positioned on the uppersurface of the coupler body 58. In this embodiment the track serves asguide means forthe lateral movement of the horizontal expanding block 64which is positioned thereon.

The vertical expanding block 54 engages the horizontal expanding block64 and is effective upon upward vertical movement of the verticalexpanding block 54 to move the horizontal expanding block 64 laterallyin the second leg 63 of the channel 61 for engaging relationship withthe interior surface 12 of the well casing 11. The second leg 63 of thechannel 61 is vertically positioned in the coupler body 58 so that thearea of contact between the horizontal expanding block 64 and theinterior surface 12 of the casing 11 is in direct horizontal alignmentwith the horizontal axis of the horizontal discharge opening 14. Thisarrangement insures a uniform and positive seal around the dischargeopening 14 when the coupler body 58 is in its operating position.

In the preferred embodiment, the vertical expanding block 54 has anupwardly and inwardly tapering face 65 which engages a complementary ormatching face 66 of the horizontal expanding block 64. However, theinstant invention is not limited to the preferred embodiment shown inFIG. 1. For example, the engaging faces of the vertical expanding block54 and the horizontal expanding block 64 may have tapers which areopposite to the ones shown in FIG. 1. In this embodiment the horizontalexpanding block 64 would be moved laterally by a downward verticalmovement of the vertical expanding block 54. While the verticalexpanding block 54 preferably has a tapering face, the engaging face ofthe horizontal expanding block 64 does not have to be tapered but canhave a vertical engaging face.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 3 the horizontal expanding block 64 has a bore67 which extends completely through the horizontal expanding block 64.The bore 67 preferably is oval shaped. The coupler body 58 definessmaller diameter bores 68 which are coaxially aligned with the bore 67in the horizontal expanding block 64. The bores 68 are of much smallerdiameter than the bore 67 and receive a holding pin 69 which extendsthrough the bores 68 and the bore 67 to pin the horizontal expandingblock 64 to the coupler body 58. Because the bore 67 has a greaterdiameter than the bores 68, the horizontal expanding block 64 is free tomove laterally in the second leg 63 of the channel 61. The holding pin69 serves as holding means, thereby securing the horizontal expandingblock 64 to the coupler body 58 to prevent accidental dropping of thehorizontal expanding block 64 into the well.

In the preferred embodiment, adjusting means, generally indicated at 70,are provided to compensate for Well casings having either an undersizedor an oversized diameter. The adjusting means 70 includes a sizeadjuster bolt 71 which is inserted in a threaded horizontal bore 72defined by the coupler body 58. In the preferred embodiment, a convexcontacting surface 73 of the adjuster bolt 71 is knurled and has an ovalcross section which is shaped to approximate the contour of the interiorsurface 12 of the well casing 11 to insure'closely engaging contact withthe interior surface 12 of the well casing 11 when the horizontalexpanding block 64 is moved into engaging relationship (see FIG. 3). Theoval shape of the surface 73 prevents rotation of the adjuster bolt 71during insertion of the assembly 27 into the casing 11. In theembodiment shown in FIG. 1, a set screw 74 is provided to positivelysecure the adjuster bolt 71 in a predetermined position.

The coupler body 58 has a threaded conduit engaging bore 75 in its lowerportion which receives the upper threaded end 18 of the pump dischargeconduit 17. A discharge port 76 is defined by the coupler body 58 and ispositionable adjacent the horizontal discharge opening 14 of the casing11. Preferably the discharge port 76 has an oval cross section toimprove the flow characteristics of the fluid as it passes through theport. A fiuid passageway 77 is defined by the coupler body 58 andextends between the bore 75 and the discharge port 76. When the couplerbody 58 is in its operable position fluid communication is establishedbetween the pump discharge conduit 17 andthe water supply conduit 19with the fluid passing from the discharge conduit 17; through the fluidpassageway 77; through the horizontal discharge opening 14 and into thewater supply conduit 19. This path of flow is indicated by the arrows inFIG. 1.

The coupler body 58 includes a notch 78 which is spaced from andsurrounds the discharge port 76. The notch 78 receives an elastomericO-ring 79. When the well adapter assembly 27 is in its operableposition, the O-ring 79 is compressed against the interior surface 12 ofthe casing 11 thereby sealing the system from the accidental entry ofcontaminants.

In a typical installation of a well system, and more particularly in theinstallation of the well adapter assembly 27, the well casing 11 isfirst inserted into the ground in a conventional manner. Duringinstallation the draw bolt 48 of the draw rod assembly 47 is removedfrom its position on the cap 28 and an eyebolt (not shown) is insertedinto the threaded bore 46 to facilitate the use of a crane or some othertype of construction equipment during installation.

The aligner bracket 38 is then positioned on the upper surface of thecasing 11 as was previously described and the well assembly composed ofthe pump and submersible motor, the discharge conduit 17, and the welladapter assembly 27 is then inserted into the well casing 11. Theseating of the horizontal leg 39 of the aligner bracket 38 into thealigner recess 44 insures proper circumferential alignment of thedischarge port 76 with respect to the horizontal discharge opening 14.After the cap 28 is in position on the top surface of the casing 11, theeyebolt is removed. The gasket 49 is then positioned concentrically withthe bore 46 and the draw rod bolt 48 is inserted through the bore 46 andengaged with the threaded end 52 of the draw rod 51.

At this point in the installation the vertical expanding block 54 is ata vertical position lower than shown in FIG. 1 and the horizontalexpanding block 64 is inwardly or to the right of the position shown inFIG. 1. The draw bolt 48 is rotated in a clockwise direction moving thevertical expanding block 54 upwardly into engaging relationship with thehorizontal expanding block 64. The upward movement of the verticalexpanding block 54 moves the horizontal expanding block 64 laterally inthe second leg 63 of the channel 61 for engaging relationship with theinterior surface 12 of the well casing 11.

After the contacting surface 73 of the adjuster bolt 71 is engaged withthe casing 11 continuing upward movement of the vertical expanding block54 and the respective lateral movement of the horizontal expanding block64 moves the coupler body 58 into sealing engagement with the interiorsurface 12 of the casing 11 by compressing the O-ring 79 which surroundsthe horizontal discharge opening 14.

The clamp 21 is placed in its proper position surrounding the exteriorsurface 13 of the casing 11 in a conventional manner. The O-ring 26 iscompressed in a position totally surrounding the horizontal dischargeopening 14, thereby sealing all connections from the accidental entry ofcontaminants.

When it becomes necessary to remove the pump or motor from the wellcasing 11, the draw bolt 48 is rotated in a counterclockwise direction.It should be noted that the upper portion of the draw bolt 48 is at alltimes located above the cap 28. This is an important feature of the Welladapter assembly 27.

As the draw bolt 48 is rotated, the vertical expanding block 54 movesdownwardly out of engaging relationship with the horizontal expandingblock 64, thus relieving the lateral force acting upon the horizontalexpanding block 64. The horizontal expanding block 64 is then free tomove inwardly out of its engaging relationship with the casing 11. Thepump, motor, well adapter assembly 27, and appurtenant piping may thenbe removed from the well casing 11. At no time is it necessary for amaintenance man or an installer to reach downwardly into the well casingto adjust the well adapter assembly 27. Therefore, accidental droppingof tools into the well casing 11 is effectively prevented.

Another feature of the instant invention is that the coupler -body 58 isat all times secured to the support tube 55 which in turn is supportedby the cap 28. This prevents the accidental dropping of the entireapparatus into the well.

While the present invention has been disclosed with a specificarrangement and disposition of the parts, it should be expresslyunderstood that numerous modifications and changes may be made withoutdeparting from the scope of the appended claims. What is claimed is:

1. A pitless well adapter assembly for use in a well system including avertical well casing having an interior surface, an exterior surface anda horizontal discharge opening, said adapter assembly comprising, incombination, a cap mountable on the upper end of such casing, supportmeans depending from said cap, a coupler body secured to said supportmeans, horizontal guide means on said coupler body, a vertical draw rodassembly having an uppermost end supported by said cap and a lowermostend secured to a vertical expanding block, a horizonal expanding blocksupported by said guide means, said vertical expanding block engagingsaid horizontal expanding block, and being eifective upon verticalmovement of said vertical expanding block to move said horizontalexpanding block laterally in said guide means for engaging relationshipwith the interior wall of such casing, said coupler body having aconduit engaging bore in its low r portion and a discharge portpositionable adjacent the horizontal discharge opening in such casingand defining a fluid passageway between such bore and such port.

2. In a well system having a vertical well casing, such casing having aninterior surface, an exterior surface and a horizontal dischargeopening, a pitless well adapter assembly comprising, in combination, acap supported by the upper end of such casing, support means dependingfrom said cap, a coupler body secured to the lowermost end of saidsupport means, horizontal guide means on said coupler body, a verticaldraw rod assembly having an uppermost end extending above and supportedby said cap and a lowermost end secured to a vertical expanding block, ahorizontal expanding block supported by said guide means, said verticalexpanding block engaging said horizontal expanding block and beingeffective upon vertical movement of said vertical expanding block tomove said horizontal expanding block laterally in said guide means forengaging relationship with the interior wall of such casing, saidcoupler body having a conduit engaging bore in its lower portion and adischarge port positionable adjacent the horizontal discharge opening insuch casing and defining a fiuid passageway between such bore and suchport.

3. A pitless well adapter assembly for use in a well; system including avertical well casing having an interior surface, an exterior surface anda horizontal discharge opening, said adapter assembly comprising, incombination, a cap mountable on the upper end of such casing, a supportconduit depending from said cap, a coupler body secured to said supportconduit, a vertical draw rod assembly having an uppermost end supportedby said cap and a lowermost end, a vertical expanding block secured tothe lowermost end of said draw rod, said coupler body defining achannel, a first leg of the channel being vertically aligned with saiddraw rod assembly and a second leg of the channel extending laterallythrough said coupler body, said coupler body having in its lower portiona conduit engaging bore and a discharge port positionable adjacent thehorizontal discharge opening in such casing and defining a fluidpassageway between such bore and such port, said vertical expandingblock positioned within the first leg of such channel and having avertically tapering face, a horizontal expanding block positioned withinthe second leg of the channel and having a first end adjacent saidtapering face and a second end adjacent to and engageable with theinterior surface of such well casing, and being effective upon verticalmovement of said vertical expanding block to move said horizontalexpanding block laterally for engaging relationship with the interiorwall of such casing.

4. A pitless well adapter assembly according to claim 3, wherein saidvertical expanding block has an upwardly and inwardly tapering face and.said horizontal expanding block has a complementary face adjacent saidtapering face.

5. A pitless well adapter assembly according to claim 3, said second endof said horizontal expanding block defining a horizontal bore, saidcoupler body defining a; threaded opening, said threaded opening beingperpendicular to and in communication with said horizontal bore, anadjuster member movably mounted in said horizontal bore and having acontacting surface for engaging relationship with the interior surfaceof such casing, and a threaded holding pin positioned in said threadedopening and being effective for movement into engaging relationship withsaid adjuster member -for releasably securing said adjuster member in apredetermined horizontal position.

6. A pitless well adapter assembly for use in a well system including avertical well casing having an interior surface, an exterior surface anda horizontal discharge opening, said adapter assembly comprising, incombination, a cap mountable on the upper end of such casing, said caphaving a box portion extending outwardly from its periphery and definingan aligner recess along its bottom surface, support means depending fromsaid cap, a coupler body secured to said support means, said couplerbody having a conduit engaging bore in its lower portion and a dischargeport positionable adjacent the horizontal discharge opening in suchcasing and defining a fluid passageway between such bore and such port,means effective to move said coupler body into sealing relationship withthe interior wall of such casing whereby such discharge port is in fluidcommunication with the horizontal discharge opening in such casing, andan aligner bracket mountable on the upper surface of such casing havinga horizontal leg extending outwardly and positionable in predeterminedvertical alignment with such horizontal discharge opening, whereby whensaid leg is seated in such aligner recess, such discharge port iscircumferentially aligned with the horizontal discharge opening.

7. In a well system having a vertical well casing having an interiorsurface, an exterior surface and a horizontal discharge opening, a welladapter assembly comprising, in combination, a cap supported by theupper end of such casing, said cap having a box portion extendingoutwardly from its periphery and defining an aligner recess along itsbottom surface, support means depending from said cap, a coupler bodysecured to said support means, said coupler body having a conduitengaging bore in its lower portion and a discharge port adjacent thehorizontal discharge opening in such casing and defining a fiuidpassageway between such bore and such port, means releasably holdingsaid coupler body in sealing relationship wit-h the interior wall ofsuch casing whereby such discharge port is in fluid communication withthe horizontal discharge opening in such casing, and an aligner bracketmounted on the upper surface of such casing having a horizontal legextending outwardly in vertical alignment with such horizontaldischargeopening, said leg being seated in such aligner recess and such dischargeport being circumferentially aligned with such horizontal dischargeopening.

8. A pitless well adapter assembly for use in a well system including avertical well casing having an interior surface, an exterior surface anda horizontal discharge opening, said adapter assembly comprising, incombination, a cap mountable on the upper end of such casing, aligningmeans mountable on the upper portion of such casing for engagement withan aligner portion of said cap in a predetermined circumferentialposition on such casing, a support conduit depending from said cap, acoupler body secured to said support conduit, a vertical draw rodassembly having an uppermost end extending above and supported by saidcap and a lowermost end, said draw rod assembly extending through saidsupport conduit, a vertical expanding block secured to the lowermost endof said draw rod, said coupler body de fining a channel, a first leg ofthe channel being vertically aligned with said draw rod assembly and asecond leg of the channel extending laterally through said coupler body,said coupler body having in its lower portion a conduit engaging boreand a discharge port positionable adjacent the horizontal dischargeopening in such casing and defining a fluid passageway between such boreand such port, said vertical expanding block positioned within the firstleg of such channel and having a vertically tapering face, a horizontalexpanding block positioned Within the second leg of the channel andhaving a matching surface adjacent said tapering face and an endadjacent to and engageable with the interior surface of such wellcasing, and being effective upon vertical movement of said verticalexpanding block to move said horizontal expanding block laterally forengaging relationship with the interior Wall of such casing.

9. A pitless well adapter assembly according to claim 8, said end ofsaid horizontal expanding block defining a horizontal bore, said couplerbody defining a threaded opening perpendicular to and in communicationWith said horizontal bore, and an adjuster member rotatably mounted insaid horizontal bore and having a convex oval contacting surface forengaging relationship with the interior surface of such casing in directhorizontal alignment with the horizontal axis of the horizontaldischarge opening.

10. A pitless Well adapter assembly according to claim 8 wherein suchdischarge port has an oval vertical cross section, said coupler bodydefining a notch spaced from and surrounding such discharge port, anelastomeric O- ring seated in such notch for engaging relationship withthe portion of the inner surface of such casing surrounding thehorizontal discharge opening, and holding means in combination with saidhorizontal expanding block and said coupler body effective to preventremoval of said horizontal expanding block from said coupler body.

References Qited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,903,067 9/1959Hall l6685 2,949,961 8/1960 Anderson l6685 3,136,362 6/1964 Baker l6685CHARLES E. OCONNELL, Primary Examiner.

J. A. LEPPINK, Assistant Examiner.

1. A PITLESS WELL ADAPTER FOR USE IN A WELL SYSTEM INCLUDING A VERTICAL WELL CASING HAVING AN INTERIOR SURFACE, AN EXTERIOR SURFACE AND A HORIZONTAL DISCHARGE OPENING, SAID ADAPTER ASSEMBLY COMPRISING, IN COMBINATION, A CAP MOUNTABLE ON THE UPPER END OF SUCH CASING, SUPPORT MEANS DEPENDING FROM SAID CAP, A COUPLER BODY SECURED TO SAID SUPPORT MEANS, HORIZONTAL GUIDE MEANS ON SAID COUPLER BODY, A VERTICAL DRAW ROD ASSEMBLY HAVING AN UPPERMOST END SUPPORTED BY SAID CAP AND A LOWERMOST END SECURED TO A VERTICAL EXPANDING BLOCK, A HORIZONTAL EXPANDING BLOCK SUPPORTED BY SAID GUIDE MEANS, SAID VERTICAL EXPANDING BLOCK ENGAGING SAID HORIZONTAL EXPANDING BLOCK, AND BEING EFFECTIVE UPON VERTICAL MOVEMENT OF SAID VERTICAL EXPANDING BLOCK TO MOVE SAID HORIZONTAL EXPANDING BLOCK LATERALLY IN SAID GUIDE MEANS FOR ENGAGING RELATIONSHIP WITH THE INTERIOR WALL OF SUCH CASING, SAID COUPLER BODY HAVING A CONDUIT ENGAGING BORE IN ITS LOWER PORTION AND A DISCHARGE PORT POSITIONABLE ADJACENT THE HORIZONTAL DISCHARGE OPENING IN SUCH CASING AND DEFINING A FLUID PASSAGEWAY BETWEEN SUCH BORE AND SUCH PORT. 